Spabk-gap



W. MEYER.

SPARK GAP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. Il. |917. 1,316,916. I Paten lsept.2s,1919.

Millie/,m mega? nfl/amv WILLIAM MEYER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SPARK- GAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 23, 1919..

Application filed September 11, 1917. Serial No. 190,858.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM MEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a Vcertain new and useful Improvement in Spark-Gaps, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact descriptlon, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specication.

My invention relates to spark gaps. Devices of this class are employed in wireless telegraphy, X-ray, fluoroscopic and electrotherapeutic work, as is well understood by those skilled in the art.

The common type of spark gap that has heretofore been employed comprises a pair of cylindrical metal plugs placed axially in line with each other with their square radial faces substantially parallel to each other, these cylinders or plugs being provided with annular radiating ns or flanges for dissipating the heat generated in the ga'P- I have found this type of gap to be very p unreliable Where a steady current is required and this is particularly noticeable where a relatively feeble current is employed. When the electrodes are brought to the proper distance apart from each other to cause the spark to pass and are then left in that condition in a few moments the condition of the spark gap is so varied apparently by the electric discharge itself that .the sparks cease to pass.

I have experimented with the various forms of electrodes and find that the square ended cylindrical electrode is very poorly adapted to this work.

According to my invention I provide electrodes one of which, at least, has a series of substantially vertical fins of a good heat conducting and current conducting metal, these fins being all faced 0E to have their front edges lying in the same plane so that a great number of edges are represented. In the preferred form of my invention I employ two such electrodes with the fins or ribs of one electrode lying in line with the spaces between the tins or ridges of the other electrode. Suitable means is provided for adjusting the two electrodes toward and from eachother without rotating them. As a consequence a series of parallel spark gaps all of substantially the same length are formed in multiple. Another important effect which can be observed is that the ver tical channels formed by the vertical fins or ridges provide small vertical air chutes or chimneys which carry away the heat generated in the gap and at the same time serve to extinguish each spark promptly and effectively.

I shall now describe in detail in conne@ tion with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of the specification one particular embodiment of my invention to apprise those skilled in the art how to prac tise .and secure the advantages of the same.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the spark gap of my invention showing the water jacket for one of thel electrodes in longitudinal sections;

Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe device of Fio. 1

v Ii`1g. 3 1s a modified arrangement of theelectrodes; and

Fig. 4 is a still further modified form of the electrodes.

The spark gap is formed between the electrodes 1 and 2, which comprise rectangular prismatic blocks of metal, such as brass or `bronze or other cuprous metal having a series of fins projecting from the front'eilges thereof. In the particular embodimentillustrated, the fins 3 are composed of narrow strips of silver set edgewise into grooves milled `into the front faces of `the blocks 1 and 2. The spaces 4 between the fins 3 are slightly greater in width by a few thousandths of an inch than the fins themselves. The fins on the block I are arranged opposite the spaces I on the block 2 so that the fins 3 of the blocks may slide past each other. Thus there `are formed a multitude of minute spark gaps all in parallel with each other. I find it generally unnecessary to actually intermesh the fins 3 as it appears that the corners or sharp edges of these fins are the most efficient spark producers and by merely bringing the sharp corner of one electrode adjacent the shari corner of another electrode the saine etll'ect is obtained, namely, a multitude of small spark gaps all in parallel.

I have also employed the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 in which the fins 3 are placed substantially opposite each other,

rits

that is to say, in line with each other. While this arrangement gives very good results I prefer the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as I find the latter slightly more reliable.

rIhe arrangement shown in Fig. 4: operates 'fairly satisfactorily, the Iins 3y in this case coperatingwith the front face 6 of the solid electrode 5. The same chimneyeifect is present though in less degree. The plurality of sharp edges is also present, though in less degree. While the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 .is the preferred form ofthe invention, I wish to be protected in such modifications as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and as will occur to those skilled .in the art without further exercise of-invention.

lThe structureshown in Figs. 1 and 2 ein* bodies other inventive conceptions, all tending to the proper use of the spark gap described. vThe electrode blocks 1 and 2 are mounted upon the ends of threaded rods 7 passing through the tubes 8 of the .water jacket 9. Each ofthe water jackets 9 and 10 is formed ofa cylindrical shell 11 having 'a filling opening 12 at the topV thereof for lling the water jacket with water or other cooling fluid. The ends of the cylinders 11 vare closed 'as by means of the heads 13-14 lthrough whichl the tube 8 passes axially. The front faces of the inner heads 13 and 25 are grooved.

revent turning of the blocks 1 and 2. The Bolts or rods which are fastened to the blocks 1 and 2 are provided at their rear ends with thumb nuts 16.

" spark ga i The ot er water jacket 10 with its elec` trode 1 is adjustable toward and away from The heads 13 and 14 of the water jacket 9 are provided withv feet 17 by whichfthis water jacket is mounted upon the insulating base 18. The electrodev 2 is connected' throu h the water jacket and 'through the bolts and one of the feet 17 with a terminal bolt 19. This bolt 19 is in turn connected with one conductor 20 of the'system.

The bolt 19 secures the insulating baseg18 upon a further support such as a part of the cabinet or wooden casing on which this is mounted.

the electrode 2 and water jacket justv de-l and 23 are set edgewise upon the supporting pillars 24 and the heads 25 and 26 scribed. To this end a pair of flat slides 22 posts or are-provided with lugs 27 having grooves coperating with the guides 22-23.

The electrode 1 is connected through thel water jacket, the lugs 27, guides 22 and 23 and through the post 24: with a terminal bolt 28 and -a wire 29 of the system. The electrode 1 is made adjustable along the guides 22 and 23 by means of the adjusting screw 30 and insulating handle 31. The screw 30 is mounted in a post 32, this post being split to provide the proper degree of other electrode.

or. recessed as shown at 15 to.

Ens having vertical sparking edges andforming a series of vertical parallel air passages between said fins, said air passages being of uniform area from end to end.

2. In combination, a pair of electrodes, each of said electrodes comprising a block of metal having a series of vertical parallel fins projecting from the face thereof, said fins having vertical' sparking edges and forming a series of vertical parallel air passages betweensaid fins, said air passages being 'of uniform area from end to end, and

means for guiding the fins on one electrode into the air passages'between the fins of the 3. vIn combination, a pair of electrodes, one of said electrodes comprising a blockof metal having a plurality of vertical parallel fins projecting from the face thereof, said ne-consisting of a series of prismatic strips presenting sharp sparkingl edges to the opv vposing electrode, said prismatic stri-ps deninga series of vertical parallel air paslsages between -lsaid strips, said air passages being of uniform area from end toend.v

4. In combination, a pair of electrodes,

each of said electrodes comprising a b1 lel ns, projecting from the face thereof,

ook of inetal having a plurality of vertical paralsaid Vfins consisting of a series of prismatic y strips, the opposing faces of each series of strips being fiat 'and presenting sharpI spark-A ing edges, said rprismatic strips defining a series' of 'vertical parallel air passages tween said-strips, said air passages being of uniform area from end to end.

In combination, a supporting base, ay pairy of water jackets mounted on said base,

and Spark gap electrodes yon said water jackets, one of said electrodes comprising a series of vertical sparking fins having ver-v tical lair passages between said ns, said water jackets being alined substantially horizontally on said Ybase to permit free circulation of air up through said vertical air passages.

6. In combination, a spark gap comprising a pair of metal electrodes having vertical metal ridges projecting therefrom, means for guiding the ridges on one electrode into the spaces between ridges on the other electrode, and means for adjustingA the electrodes with respect to each other.

7. In combination, a cylindrical metallic jacket having an aXial hollow tube passing therethrough, a rod passing through said tube, an electrode secured to one end of the rod, means at the opposite end of the rod for holding the electrode against the head of the jacket, means for mounting the jacket upon a support, said jacket being adapted to be substantially lilled with Water, and a conductor connected to said supporting means.

8. In combination, a supporting base, a pair of guides mounted upon said base, a Water jacket comprising a metallic drum having an electrode upon one head of the drum, a post mounted on the supporting base, and an adjusting screw connected between the post and the other head of the drum.

9. A11 electrode for a spark gap comprising a block of conducting metal, a series of vertical parallel sided fins projecting from the face thereof, the ns being parallel with each other and spaced apart slightly more than the thickness of the fins, thereby forming a series of air channels between the fins which are rectangular' in cross section and uniform in area from end to end.

10. In a device of the kind described, a pair of electrodes, each thereof having a series of vertical parallel fins projecting from the face of the electrodes, fins cornprising parallel strips spaced apart slightly more than the thickness of the strips, thereby forming a series of air channels between the fins which are uniform in area from end to end, the fins of one electrode being arranged opposite to the air channels of the other electrode and means for adjusting the electrodes with respect to each other to change the length of the spark gap.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my7name this 7th day of September, A. D. 191

WILLIAM MEYER. 

